Thursday, March 6, 2008

English Clubs Rule!!!!!!!!!

That may or may not be true - and, indeed, is probably impossible to prove - but the fact that four English clubs are likely to be in the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals sends out a very loud message.

With holders AC Milan and La Liga leaders Real Madrid crashing out this week, the odds are stacked in favour of at least one Premier League team reaching the Moscow final on 21 May.

Manchester United and Lionel Messi-deprived Barcelona are currently joint favourites, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool (if they see off Inter Milan next Tuesday) not far behind.

An all-English quarter-final or semi-final could well be on the cards too when the draw for both is made by Uefa on 14 March.

United are desperate to win the European Cup 50 years after the Munich tragedy, while Arsenal's brilliance in Milan on Tuesday suggests Arsene Wenger's young team could go all the way.

And, despite the in-fighting at Anfield - or rather between the United States and Dubai - Liverpool are capable of reaching another final, as are Chelsea, whose owner Roman Abramovich is rumoured to have booked up half of Moscow for the team and the post-final party celebrations.

Add to this the strong showing so far of Everton, Tottenham and Bolton in the Uefa Cup and it begs the question: will English clubs rule in Europe this season?